Health Committee on May 23rd, 2024

[Dr. Diane Francoeur]

First of all, I think cost is definitely one of them, especially in choosing long-term contraceptives like the IUD or the patch. The finance around it is really the biggest barrier.

Second, something that we don't talk enough about is the coercive aspect of contraception. A woman will pay for 30 years. If she herself doesn't have the money to pay, it will be her partner who should, hopefully, share part of the bill, but we don't see that. Unfortunately, during a conversation on which method they should choose, money has an impact. If women are allowed to make their own choice and they don't have to beg to have help to pay for the contraceptive method of their choice, that will have a huge impact on their self-esteem. They will feel more respected.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Would you agree that oral contraceptives are not used solely for pregnancy prevention but for other health concerns as well, and that we should therefore reduce the health care costs there as well?

[Dr. Diane Francoeur]

Absolutely. Even if we want every woman to be able to choose the method of her choice, as I said, 15% to 20% of women will have problems with pain, with bleeding or with fibroids that may grow over time. They'll use a contraceptive method for the side effect, because we know that it will treat the problem. It's absolutely an added value for these women.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you.

Dr. Arango, you said in your submission that heart disease has been the second leading cause of death in Canada across all ages in the last decade. You said, “Millions of people in Canada live with heart disease and rely on daily prescription medicines to help keep them alive and to manage their condition at home.”

However, many cannot afford them. Do you have any recommendation on how people with diabetes can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke?

You already mentioned that the comorbidity rate with diabetes is threefold more. What is your recommendation there?

[Manuel Arango]

In terms of reducing your risk, I think a lot of people will know, obviously, that being physically active, not consuming tobacco and having a good diet is going to be huge. It's going to be very important in reducing the incidence and probability of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

I would just add another point, which is that, as mentioned earlier by my colleague, social determinants of health also have a huge impact. Socio-economic status and access to clean drinking water and to a safe environment are also very important. All those factors, and access to income as well, are extremely important. All those factors play into the likelihood of whether one will develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

Thank you, Ms. Sidhu.

Thank you, Mr. Arango.

Thanks to all of our witnesses for being with us today and for your thoughtful and patient testimony.

Don't run away, colleagues. We have a budget to deal with.

A budget has been circulated for the work to be done on this study. You would have received it either earlier today or yesterday.

Is it the will of the committee to adopt the budget as presented?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

The budget is therefore adopted.

Is it the will of the committee to adjourn the meeting?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sean Casey]

We're adjourned.